Joe Garcia says that he remembers helping his older brother wash his 1958 Chevy, over 40 years ago. He was only four-years-old.

 “I can still remember the smell of the air freshener he used,” says Joe.  “He always had a car. And, he always had a nice-looking girl in the car. That’s the kind of stuff you don’t forget!”

By the time he was 16-years-old, Joe had his own 1954 Chevy.  And, today, at age 45—and more than 80 cars later—Joe owns a ’38 Chevy Master Deluxe, ’36 Ford Trunk Back and a ’54 Chevy Hard Top.

“I’ve always kept a ’54 Chevy, because that was the first car I had,” says Joe.

It is obvious that Joe is a car guy.  But, Joe also proudly calls himself a “Pachuco.”

So—what exactly is that?

The Pachuco Car Club was founded in 2002 for bomb car enthusiasts in Southern California. And, Joe explains that he has been a member since “day one.” Recently, the SPEED Channel aired a feature on the club, and we at Grundy thought we should reach out to this fun group of car collectors, so we could share their inspirational story with the readers of our weekly newsletter.

Over the last seven years, this club has grown from three members to more than 75, making them one of the largest clubs in California, according the Joe. The club does not believe in creating separate chapters; therefore, their “family” of members extends across the entire state.  While the club originated in the San Fernando Valley, it has grown to cover not only Southern California, but recently Northern California, as well.

And, while distance may separate some members from others, the club holds tight to maintaining a sense of unity that keeps them going and growing strong.

“The recipe for our success is peace, unity and respect,” explains Joe. The members of this club take pride in their family values, and there is an absolute requirement that all members have a positive attitude.

“You need to have that personality,” he says. “We represent the Chicano culture in a positive way.  You must live that positive way of life— and of course have love for ‘the bomb.’ Our members need to have that love.  It’s got to be in your heart.”

Joe says that in the area of California in which he lives, bomb cars are considered anything that is 1954 and older.

“If you’ve got a ’55 Chevy, it’s not a bomb,” he states. “There’s a unique style to these cars.  With most old cars, you look for originality. But, we add a unique touch. For example, it could be all original, but have new paint. Like my car.  I have a ’38 Chevy with a 2004 BMW color on it. There’s a unique twist. Some cars have sirens. Some have hydraulics.”

“In the Latino culture, we--Mexican-Americans-- are considered ‘Chicano,’” he further explains. “And, we have always been into lowriding. It’s a family tradition.”

However, Joe goes on to say that not all of the members of the Pachuco Car Club drive cars with hydraulic suspension.

“A good percentage are just collector cars,” he states. “But, they might have a siren. They add their own touch.”

When asked what makes bomb cars so attractive to him, Joe says that it is all in the history and the hunt to find parts.

“I can’t explain it,” he says. “It’s just a feeling like… ‘Wow. These pieces came from all over the country.’”

“And, if these cars could talk… They’d tell you stories you wouldn’t believe,” he continues.

Today, the Pachucos are not only celebrating history, but they are creating their own history through taking action to build a better future. For their communities. For their culture. For their youth.

Joe says that in the past, the term Pachuco carried a negative connotation. But, today they are working hard to flip it into a positive.  Recently, the club came together to raise money for fire victims in California. They also hold canned food drives and work with other clubs to help better the community.

Each summer, the Pachuco club holds a barbeque.  Joe says that there are usually 50 to 75 cars at the event; but, with the members and their families present, usually 400 people show.

“Now, that’s a lot of food,” he says, laughing.

But Joe continues on to say that during this event, they also feed the public. No one is turned away. The event does not require a ticket.

“If we see someone who is homeless, we say ‘Get in line and grab a plate,’” explains Joe.

The members also recently helped launch a bike club, for the youth. If a kid wants to fix up their old Schwinn, for instance, they now have a club to join.

“But, we always need to see their report cards,” adds Joe. “And you’d be surprised at how hard these kids work to do their best just so they can join the club.”

Joe continues to say that there are some young members of the car club; their youngest member is 18-years-old.

“There are some who are even younger, but they don’t drive yet,” he adds. “These are our future members that are going to keep our traditions... what we believe in.”

And, this brings us back to that recipe for success: Peace. Unity. Respect.

Joe explains that when living in a gang-infested area, with gang members outside of your door, being involved in something positive is the only way to go.

“We want you to put your heart and soul into the car, not the gangs,” says Joe. “People will respect you and your car. When we get them into this, it is a life-saver.”

The club has had great success in building a positive way of life around themselves, and the public respects them and what they have done for the community. 

When asked what kind of reaction the members get when cruising down the street, Joe answered quite simply:

“Here come the Pachucos!”

For more information on the Pachuco Car Club, visit their site: www.pachucocarclub.com.

Story by: Becky McLaughlin

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